ISU northern research farm hires
new superintendent
The oldest Iowa State University
research farm has a new superintendent.
Micah Smidt has been named
superintendent of the Northern Research and Demonstration Farm in
Kanawha. He replaces David Rueber
who retired, after working at the farm
since 1977 and serving as its superintendent since 1987.
Smidt earned a bachelor’s degree
in agronomy from Iowa State in
2010. He has worked most recently
as an agricultural research specialist
with ISU’s on-farm research pro-

gram, called FARM, and was previously a crop consultant in north central Iowa.
Smidt is the sixth superintendent at
the farm since it opened in 1931. He
will supervise 35 research projects on
the farm, which hosts 1,000 visitors
annually, and will continue to coordinate on-farm research in north central
Iowa.
The farm is owned by the North
Central Iowa Research Association,
which partners with Iowa State to
conduct site-speciﬁc agricultural research related to crops and soils.

ISU Ag Studies student Bailey Morrell, Van Meter, serves a bowl of hot beef stew to a runner in the Living History
Farms Off-Road Race.

Thousands of runners refuel
with beef stew
SUBMITTED BY MADISON,
MARION, MARSHALL AND
WARREN
More than 75 Iowa beef industry
volunteers served hot beef stew to
thousands of runners in the 35th annual Living History Farms Off-Road
Race on Nov. 23. Runners from
across the country endured the single
digit weather to run the seven-mile
race, which takes place on the museum’s grounds in Urbandale.
“This year, more than 20 Team
Beef runners sported shirts with the
message ‘Beef. Fuel for the Finish,’”
said Nancy Degner, executive director of the Iowa Beef Industry Council.
“TEAM BEEF is composed of Iowa
State University faculty and students
with majors in animal science, as well
as other cattle farmers and friends of
the beef industry who are passionate
about beef,” she added.
Seth Watkins, cattle farmer from
Clarinda, said “I am proud to wear
the TEAM BEEF shirt and hear all
the support along the race from runners and by-standers who shouted
‘Go Beef’ and ‘Where’s the Beef?’
We answered ‘at the end of the race
in the beef stew!’ I was proud to have
cattle farmers serving the beef stew at
the end of the race.”
Degner said the beef checkoff became involved to carry a message
to the athletes. “Our message to the
runners was two-fold,” said Degner.
“First, that beef provides high-quality
protein needed to build, maintain and
repair muscle, and is a great recovery
food after endurance exercise. Second, we wanted to give runners the
chance to meet local cattle farmers as
they served the beef stew.”
The hot beef stew greeted frozen

Cattleman Seth Watkins, Clarinda, and charter TEAM BEEF member, heads
towards the finish line and a bowl of hot beef stew at the Living History
Farms Off-Road Race.

runners after a route complete with
several creek crossings and other obstacles. The beef checkoff provided
the 2,000 pounds of beef cubes used
in the stew prepared by the Iowa Machine Shed.
Serving was completed in less than
two hours by volunteers that included
cattle producer families, Iowa State
University animal science students,
4-H’ers, Madison County Youth
Beef Team members and friends of
the beef industry. Beef certiﬁcates
were awarded as prizes for the race,
replacing the traditional frozen turkeys and chickens.

Those interested in joining or learning more about TEAM BEEF can
visit the Iowa Beef Industry Council
website at www.iabeef.org or by calling 515-296-2305.
About the Iowa Beef Industry
Council: The Iowa Beef Industry
Council is funded by the $1-perhead beef checkoff. Checkoff dollars are invested in beef promotion,
consumer information, research,
industry information and foreign
market development, all with the
purpose of strengthening beef demand. For more information, visit
www.iabeef.org.

ICA supports proposed rule change on Trichomoniasis testing
SUBMITTED BY POWESHIEK
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association submitted comments of support
on a proposed rule change in Iowa
regarding Trichomoniasis testing of
bulls entering the state. Trichomoniasis, commonly called Trich, is
a sexually transmitted disease that
can lead to a 20 to 30 percent rate of
cows aborting pregnancies.
The proposed rules, which will
be submitted to the Iowa Legislature’s Administrative Rules Review
Committee, would require Tricho-

moniasis testing of bulls brought
into Iowa from out of state. The
testing requirement would not apply to rodeo bulls, bulls being sent
to slaughter and virgin bulls under
24 months of age.
“Due to the detrimental impact
of this disease on Iowa’s cow herd,
the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association
is supporting the proposed rule
change put forth by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land
Stewardship,” said Justine Stevenson, ICA’s director of Government

FARM FAMILY
FAVORITES

Relations and Public Policy. “It
would be in the state’s best interest
for these rules to be implemented
prior to the 2014 breeding season.”
(If the rules are accepted, they will
be in place February 2014.)
Bulls are the vector for Trich
and unfortunately show no clinical signs so only a test can reveal
the infection. “By providing the
exemption for bulls used in rodeo
or exhibition, as well as animals
intended for slaughter, there should
be minimal impact on these events
and livestock auction markets,”
Stevenson said.
In 2012, the Iowa Veterinary
Medical Association conducted a

Trichomoniasis survey across the
state, in which six positive bulls
were discovered. Additionally, the
Iowa Department of Agriculture
and Land Stewardship had three
positive cases reported from producers in 2012 and 2013. Prior to
2012, Iowa had no reported cases
of Trich.
“By preventing positive animals from entering the state, Iowa
should be able to maintain and perhaps eliminate the current small
presence of Trichomoniasis in cow
herds,” she said.
Currently 23 states require mandatory testing for bulls to prevent
the spread of Trichomoniasis.

Cows and heifers are not subject
to the testing because they slough
the infection and can successfully
be used for breeding stock. There is
no treatment for infected bulls.
Comments on the proposed rule
change to amend Chapter 65, Animal and Livestock Importation,
were due Dec. 3. Written comments should be addressed to Margaret Thomson, Iowa Department
of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Wallace State Ofﬁce Building, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines,
IA 50319. Comments may be submitted by fax to 515-281-6236 or
by email to Margaret.Thomson@
IowaAgriculture.gov.

ISU Ag Studies student Bailey Morrell, Van Meter, serves a bowl of hot beef stew to a runner in the Living History
Farms Off-Road Race. PHOTO COURTESY OF TAMA COUNTY.

Thousands of runners
refuel with beef stew
SUBMITTED BY TAMA
More than 75 Iowa beef industry
volunteers served hot beef stew to
thousands of runners in the 35th
annual Living History Farms OffRoad Race on Nov. 23. Runners
from across the country endured
the single digit weather to run the
seven-mile race, which takes place
on the museum’s grounds in Urbandale.
“This year, more than 20 Team
Beef runners sported shirts with
the message ‘Beef. Fuel for the
Finish,’” said Nancy Degner, executive director of the Iowa Beef
Industry Council. “TEAM BEEF
is composed of Iowa State University faculty and students with majors in animal science, as well as
other cattle farmers and friends of
the beef industry who are passionate about beef,” she added.

Seth Watkins, cattle farmer
from Clarinda, said, “I am proud
to wear the TEAM BEEF shirt and
hear all the support along the race
from runners and by-standers who
shouted ‘Go Beef’ and ‘Where’s
the Beef?’ We answered, ‘at the
end of the race in the beef stew!’
I was proud to have cattle farmers
serving the beef stew at the end of
the race.”
Degner said the beef checkoff
became involved to carry a message to the athletes. “Our message
to the runners was two-fold,” said
Degner. “First, that beef provides
high-quality protein needed to
build, maintain and repair muscle
and is a great recovery food after
endurance exercise. Second, we
wanted to give runners the chance
to meet local cattle farmers as they
served the beef stew.”

The hot beef stew greeted frozen runners after a route complete
with several creek crossings and
other obstacles. The beef checkoff
provided the 2,000 pounds of beef
cubes used in the stew prepared by
the Iowa Machine Shed.
Serving was completed in less
than two hours by volunteers that
included cattle producer families,
Iowa State University animal science students, 4-H’ers, Madison
County Youth Beef Team members and friends of the beef industry. Beef certiﬁcates were awarded
as prizes for the race, replacing
the traditional frozen turkeys and
chickens.
Those interested in joining or
learning more about TEAM BEEF
can visit the Iowa Beef Industry
Council website at www.iabeef.
org or by calling 515-296-2305.

Thousands of runners refuel with beef stew
SUBMITTED BY BUTLER,
CHICKASAW, MITCHELL
ore than 75 Iowa
beef industry volunteers
served
hot beef stew
to thousands of
runners in the 35th annual Living
History Farms Off-Road Race on
Nov. 23. Runners from across the
country endured the single digit
weather to run the seven-mile race,

M

which takes place on the museum’s
grounds in Urbandale.
“This year, more than 20 TEAM
BEEF runners sported shirts with
the message ‘Beef. Fuel for the
Finish,’” said Nancy Degner, executive director of the Iowa Beef
Industry Council. “TEAM BEEF is
composed of Iowa State University
faculty and students with majors in
animal science, as well as other cattle farmers and friends of the beef

ISU Ag Studies student Bailey Morrell, Van Meter, serves a bowl of hot beef stew to a runner in the Living History
Farms Off-Road Race. PHOTO COURTESY OF BUTLER.

industry who are passionate about
beef,” she added.
Seth Watkins, cattle farmer from
Clarinda, said, “I am proud to wear
the TEAM BEEF shirt and hear all
the support along the race from runners and by-standers who shouted
‘Go Beef’ and ‘Where’s the Beef?’
We answered ‘at the end of the race
in the beef stew!’ I was proud to
have cattle farmers serving the beef
stew at the end of the race.”
Degner said the beef checkoff became involved to carry a
message to the athletes. “Our
message to the runners was two-

fold,” said Degner. “First, that
beef provides high-quality protein needed to build, maintain
and repair muscle and is a great
recovery food after endurance
exercise. Second, we wanted
to give runners the chance to
meet local cattle farmers as they
served the beef stew.”
The hot beef stew greeted frozen runners after a route complete
with several creek crossings and
other obstacles. The beef checkoff
provided the 2,000 pounds of beef
cubes used in the stew prepared by
the Iowa Machine Shed.

Serving was completed in less
than two hours by volunteers that
included cattle producer families,
Iowa State University animal science students, 4-H’ers, Madison
County Youth Beef Team members and friends of the beef industry. Beef certiﬁcates were awarded
as prizes for the race, replacing
the traditional frozen turkeys and
chickens.
Those interested in joining or
learning more about TEAM BEEF
can visit the Iowa Beef Industry
Council website at www.iabeef.org
or by calling 515-296-2305.

ICA supports proposed rule change
on trichomoniasis testing

T

SUBMITTED BY CHICKASAW
he Iowa Cattlemen’s
Association
submitted comments of support on a proposed rule
change in Iowa regarding trichomoniasis testing of bulls
entering the state. Trichomoniasis,
commonly called trich, is a sexually transmitted disease that can
lead to a 20-30 percent rate of cows
aborting pregnancies.
The proposed rules, which will
be submitted to the Iowa Legislature’s Administrative Rules
Review Committee, would require trichomoniasis testing of
bulls brought into Iowa from out
of state. The testing requirement
would not apply to rodeo bulls,
bulls being sent to slaughter and
virgin bulls under 24 months of
age.
“Due to the detrimental impact

of this disease on Iowa’s cow
herd, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is supporting the proposed rule change put forth by the
Iowa Department of Agriculture
and Land Stewardship,” said Justine Stevenson, ICA’s Director of
Government Relations and Public
Policy. “It would be in the state’s
best interest for these rules to be
implemented prior to the 2014
breeding season.” (If the rules
are accepted, they will be in place
February 2014.)
Bulls are the vector for trich
and unfortunately show no clinical signs so only a test can reveal
the infection. “By providing the
exemption for bulls used in rodeo
or exhibition, as well as animals
intended for slaughter, there should
be minimal impact on these events
and livestock auction markets,”
Stevenson said.

In 2012, the Iowa Veterinary
Medical Association conducted a
trichomoniasis survey across the
state, in which six positive bulls
were discovered. Additionally, the
Iowa Department of Agriculture and
Land Stewardship had three positive
cases reported from producers in
2012 and 2013. Prior to 2012, Iowa
had no reported cases of trich.
“By preventing positive animals from entering the state, Iowa
should be able to maintain and perhaps eliminate the current small
presence of trichomoniasis in cow
herds,” she said.
Currently 23 states require mandatory testing for bulls to prevent
the spread of trichomoniasis. Cows
and heifers are not subject to the
testing because they slough the
infection, and can successfully be
used for breeding stock. There is no
treatment for infected bulls.

New report shows impact of local foods
in North Central Iowa
SUBMITTED BY CERRO GORDO,
FRANKLIN, HANCOCK, KOSSUTH, WINNEBAGO, WORTH
AND WRIGHT COUNTIES
ocal foods are making
an economic impact in
Iowa. In fact, sales of
food produced in North
Central Iowa added
nearly $538,952 to the local
economy in 2012. In addition,
$46,500 of local foods was purchased by grocery stores, restaurants and institutions in the re-

L

gion.
Healthy Harvest of North Iowa
helped collect the data in cooperation with the statewide Regional
Food Systems Working Group
(RFSWG), which supports local
food efforts in 90 of Iowa's 99
counties. The Leopold Center for
Sustainable Agriculture coordinated the evaluation for one of the
ﬁrst statewide attempts to measure
actual impacts of the local food industry on Iowa's economy.
The evaluation traced local food

purchases by grocery stores, restaurants and institutions and sales
from Iowa farm-based enterprises
that marketed their products locally in 2012. Nearly 1980 businesses
and individuals participated in the
data collection effort, including 74
buyers and 103 producers of local
foods. The evaluation also measured job creation as a result of local food production, processing or
utilization, and counted funds leveraged by the regional food groups

that comprise
the statewide
RFSWG network.
“We believe
there is an intensely powerful story to
tell about the
value that local
foods bring to
our communities and commerce in our region,”
remarked Jan Libbey, Coordinator for Healthy Harvest of North
Iowa.
Healthy Harvest of North Iowa
covers nine north central Iowa
counties, including Cerro Gordo,
Franklin, Floyd, Hancock, Kossuth, Mitchell, Winnebago, Worth
and Wright, and has been active
this year with our Buy Fresh, Buy
Local Food Directory, Fresh on the
Farm Tours, Farm to Fork dinner

and beginning stages of a collaborative marketing effort.
Libbey added, “This is the ﬁrst
time we have systematically captured local food sales and purchase
data across Iowa. These numbers
were reported by 11 producers
and three institutions. I'm thrilled
to have this report to help tell the
story of local food in our region.
Our producers work hard and this
report helps put that hard work in
perspective of the impact it is having.”
Get more details in this report,
The Economic Impact of Iowa's
Local Food Champions: Healthy
Harvest of North Iowa by contacting libbey.jan@gmail.com
The statewide report, 2012 Economic Impacts of Iowa' s Regional Food Systems Working
Group, is available by title on the
Leopold Center website at: www.
leopold.iastate.edu/local-food.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and ﬂuffy. Beat
in egg and vanilla. Combine ﬂour, baking soda and salt. Add to
creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, and mix well. Drop
by rounded tablespoonsful 2-inches apart on greased baking sheets.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly
browned. Cool on wire racks. Prepare frosting by combining all
ingredients, and beat until smooth. Frost cookies and sprinkle with
nuts (optional) Yield 3 dozen cookies.

SUBMITTED BY HAMILTON
he Carroll Ose family, who run a wean
to ﬁnish hog operation on their farm near
Blairsburg, have been
named the November winners
of the “Gary Wergin Good Farm
Neighbor Award.”
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey presented the
award to the family on Thursday,
Nov. 21 at Titan Machinery' s facility near Williams, located at
3093 220th St. The “Big Show,”
which airs on both WHO and
WMT radio, broadcasted live
from the presentation from on
Nov. 21.

“Iowa is fortunate to have
many families like the Oses who
are committed to doing things the
right way on their farm, but who
are also active in their community
and work hard to make rural Iowa
a great place to live,” Northey
said.
Carroll Ose and his wife Judy
have three children, Erin, Mike
and Lindsay, and raise corn, soybeans and seed corn in addition to
hogs on their farm.
The family was nominated for
the award by their neighbor, Hamilton County Farm Bureau leader,
Randy Greufe, saying Carroll is,
“very involved in the communities where he lives and does busi-

ness. He helps make these communities better places to work
and live.”
Ose has been very active in
supporting tree plantings in Hamilton County and has planted over
1,000 trees over the years in order
to better protect the environment.
Ose is also involved in the Blairsburg Co-op, Van Diest Medical
Center, Lions Club, and Hamilton
County NRCS and FSA committees and other organizations.
Greufe added “Carroll Ose is
willing to help his neighbors and
community members whenever
possible. If there is a need in the
community, he is usually there to
help.”

SUBMITTED BY FAYETTE
ore than 75
Iowa beef industry
volunteers
served hot beef
stew to thousands of runners in the 35th annual Living History Farms OffRoad Race on Nov. 23. Runners
from across the country endured
the single digit weather to run
the seven-mile race, which takes

place on the museum' s grounds
in Urbandale.
“This year, more than 20 TEAM
BEEF runners sported shirts with
the message ʻBeef. Fuel for the
Finish,' ” said Nancy Degner, executive director of the Iowa Beef
Industry Council. “TEAM BEEF
is composed of Iowa State University faculty and students with
majors in animal science, as well
as other cattle farmers and friends

ISU Ag Studies student Bailey Morrell, Van Meter, serves a bowl of hot beef stew to a runner in the Living History
Farms Off-Road Race.

of the beef industry who are passionate about beef,” she added.
Seth Watkins, cattle farmer
from Clarinda, said, “I am proud
to wear the TEAM BEEF shirt
and hear all the support along the
race from runners and by-standers who shouted ʻGo Beef' and
ʻWhere' s the Beef?' We answered
ʻat the end of the race in the beef
stew!' I was proud to have cattle
farmers serving the beef stew at
the end of the race.”
Degner said the beef checkoff
became involved to carry a message to the athletes. “Our message

to the runners was two-fold,” said
Degner. “First, that beef provides
high-quality protein needed to
build, maintain and repair muscle
and is a great recovery food after
endurance exercise. Second, we
wanted to give runners the chance
to meet local cattle farmers as
they served the beef stew.”
The hot beef stew greeted frozen runners after a route complete
with several creek crossings and
other obstacles. The beef checkoff provided the 2,000 pounds of
beef cubes used in the stew prepared by the Iowa Machine Shed.

Serving was completed in less
than two hours by volunteers that
included cattle producer families,
Iowa State University animal science students, 4-H' ers, Madison
County Youth Beef Team members and friends of the beef industry. Beef certiﬁcates were awarded
as prizes for the race, replacing
the traditional frozen turkeys and
chickens.
Those interested in joining or
learning more about TEAM BEEF
can visit the Iowa Beef Industry
Council website at www.iabeef.org
or by calling 515-296-2305.

ICA supports proposed rule change
on trichomoniasis testing
SUBMITTED BY FAYETTE AND
WINNESHIEK
he Iowa Cattlemen's
Association
submitted comments of support on a proposed rule
change in Iowa regarding trichomoniasis testing of bulls
entering the state. Trichomoniasis,
commonly called trich, is a sexually transmitted disease that can
lead to a 20-30 percent rate of cows
aborting pregnancies.
The proposed rules, which will
be submitted to the Iowa Legislature' s Administrative Rules
Review Committee, would require trichomoniasis testing of
bulls brought into Iowa from out
of state. The testing requirement
would not apply to rodeo bulls,
bulls being sent to slaughter and
virgin bulls under 24 months of
age.

T

“Due to the detrimental impact
of this disease on Iowa' s cow
herd, the Iowa Cattlemen' s Association is supporting the proposed rule change put forth by the
Iowa Department of Agriculture
and Land Stewardship,” said Justine Stevenson, ICA' s Director of
Government Relations and Public
Policy. “It would be in the state' s
best interest for these rules to be
implemented prior to the 2014
breeding season.” (If the rules
are accepted, they will be in place
February 2014.)
Bulls are the vector for trich and
unfortunately show no clinical signs
so only a test can reveal the infection. “By providing the exemption
for bulls used in rodeo or exhibition, as well as animals intended for
slaughter, there should be minimal
impact on these events and livestock
auction markets,” Stevenson said.

In 2012, the Iowa Veterinary
Medical Association conducted a
trichomoniasis survey across the
state, in which six positive bulls
were discovered. Additionally, the
Iowa Department of Agriculture and
Land Stewardship had three positive
cases reported from producers in
2012 and 2013. Prior to 2012, Iowa
had no reported cases of trich.
“By preventing positive animals from entering the state, Iowa
should be able to maintain and perhaps eliminate the current small
presence of trichomoniasis in cow
herds,” she said.
Currently 23 states require mandatory testing for bulls to prevent
the spread of trichomoniasis. Cows
and heifers are not subject to the
testing because they slough the
infection, and can successfully be
used for breeding stock. There is no
treatment for infected bulls.

Thousands of runners refuel
with beef stew
SUBMITTED BY CHEROKEE
More than 75 Iowa beef industry volunteers served hot beef stew
to thousands of runners in the 35th
annual Living History Farms OffRoad Race on Nov. 23. Runners
from across the country endured the
single digit weather to run the sevenmile race, which takes place on the
museum’s grounds in Urbandale.
“This year, more than 20 TEAM
BEEF runners sported shirts with
the message ‘Beef. Fuel for the
Finish,’” said Nancy Degner, executive director of the Iowa Beef
Industry Council. “TEAM BEEF
is composed of Iowa State University faculty and students with majors
in animal science, as well as other
cattle farmers and friends of the beef
industry who are passionate about
beef,” she added.
Seth Watkins, cattle farmer from
Clarinda, said, “I am proud to wear
the TEAM BEEF shirt and hear all
the support along the race from runners and by-standers who shouted
‘Go Beef’ and ‘Where’s the Beef?’
We answered ‘at the end of the race
in the beef stew!’ I was proud to
have cattle farmers serving the beef
stew at the end of the race.”
Degner said the beef checkoff became involved to carry a message
to the athletes. “Our message to the
runners was two-fold,” said Degner.
“First, that beef provides high-quality
protein needed to build, maintain and
repair muscle and is a great recovery
food after endurance exercise. Second, we wanted to give runners the
chance to meet local cattle farmers as
they served the beef stew.”
The hot beef stew greeted frozen
runners after a route complete with
several creek crossings and other obstacles. The beef checkoff provided
the 2,000 pounds of beef cubes used
in the stew prepared by the Iowa
Machine Shed.
Serving was completed in less
than two hours by volunteers that
included cattle producer families,
Iowa State University animal science students, 4-H’ers, Madison
County Youth Beef Team members
and friends of the beef industry. Beef
certiﬁcates were awarded as prizes
for the race, replacing the traditional

Cattleman Seth Watkins, Clarinda, and charter TEAM BEEF member, heads
toward the finish line and a bowl of hot beef stew at the Living History Farms
Off-Road Race.

ISU Ag Studies student Bailey Morrell, Van Meter, serves a bowl of hot beef
stew to a runner in the Living History Farms Off-Road Race.

frozen turkeys and chickens.
Those interested in joining or learning more about TEAM BEEF can

visit the Iowa Beef Industry Council
website at www.iabeef.org or by calling 515-296-2305.

Iowa delegates to the 2013 National 4-H Congress announced
BY CAYLA TAYLOR, CHRISTOPHER LIGHTFOOT
SUBMITTED BY CRAWFORD
Nineteen 4-H’ers have been selected to represent Iowa as delegates
to the 2013 National 4-H Congress in
Atlanta. The event took place Nov.
29 through Dec. 3 and is the 92nd
year of National 4-H Congress titled,
“Passport to Excellence.”
National 4-H Congress is an op-

portunity for leaders in 4-H to meet
and learn from each other. The event
recognizes the delegates’ outstanding
leadership and community work, and
is one of the highest honors in 4-H.
Events will include keynote speakers,
tours of Atlanta, service work around
the city, workshops and an international banquet and formal gala.
“This is one of the highest recognition opportunities for senior 4-H’ers

in Iowa,” said Cayla Taylor, state 4-H
program coordinator with Iowa State
University Extension and Outreach.
“These youth were selected because
they have demonstrated exceptional
skills in leadership, citizenship and
overall achievement.”
Major donors supporting the youth
delegates’ trip to National 4-H Congress include the estate of Marvin
Walter, Ames; Iowa Farm Bureau;

An eight-year member of 4-H,
Staley has been involved in the communication, electrical, woodworking,
leadership and citizenship project
areas. He has served as president of
his 4-H club. Staley has participated
in his county 4-H council, the Iowa
4-H Youth Conference and state 4-H
council.
“4-H has done nothing but improve
who I am as a person,” said Staley.

SUBMITTED BY KEOKUK
ore than 75
Iowa beef industry
volunteers
served
hot beef stew
to thousands of runners in the
35th annual Living History
Farms Off-Road Race on Nov.
23. Runners from across the
country endured the single digit
weather to run the seven-mile
race, which takes place on the

museum’s grounds in Urbandale.
“This year, more than 20
TEAM BEEF runners sported
shirts with the message ‘Beef.
Fuel for the Finish,’” said Nancy Degner, executive director of
the Iowa Beef Industry Council. “TEAM BEEF is composed
of Iowa State University faculty and students with majors in
animal science, as well as other
cattle farmers and friends

ISU Ag Studies student Bailey Morrell, Van Meter, serves a bowl of hot beef stew to a runner in the Living History
Farms Off-Road Race.

of the beef industry who are passionate about beef,” she added.
Seth Watkins, cattle farmer
from Clarinda, said, “I am proud
to wear the TEAM BEEF shirt
and hear all the support along the
race from runners and by-standers who shouted ‘Go Beef’ and
‘Where’s the Beef?’ We answered
‘at the end of the race in the beef
stew!’ I was proud to have cattle
farmers serving the beef stew at
the end of the race.”
Degner said the beef checkoff
became involved to carry a message to the athletes. “Our message

to the runners was two-fold,” said
Degner. “First, that beef provides
high-quality protein needed to
build, maintain and repair muscle
and is a great recovery food after
endurance exercise. Second, we
wanted to give runners the chance
to meet local cattle farmers as
they served the beef stew.”
The hot beef stew greeted frozen runners after a route complete
with several creek crossings and
other obstacles. The beef checkoff provided the 2,000 pounds of
beef cubes used in the stew prepared by the Iowa Machine Shed.

Serving was completed in less
than two hours by volunteers that
included cattle producer families,
Iowa State University animal science students, 4-H’ers, Madison
County Youth Beef Team members and friends of the beef industry. Beef certiﬁcates were awarded
as prizes for the race, replacing
the traditional frozen turkeys and
chickens.
Those interested in joining or
learning more about TEAM BEEF
can visit the Iowa Beef Industry
Council website at www.iabeef.org
or by calling 515-296-2305.

Iowa photographer looks at
women in farming
SUBMITTED BY DES MOINES,
VAN BUREN
Women have always been an important but mostly undocumented
aspect of agriculture. In recent years,
women are rising to the forefront of
agriculture in so many ways; as owner/operators, land-owners, workers,
mentors and so many more.

Iowa photographer Marji Guyler-Alaniz has launched a project
documenting women in agriculture.
Her goal is to show women at work
on the farm, caring for animals, ﬁnishing chores, doing all the things
women do to make a farm successful. Take a look at her website
— www.farmher.com. Also on the

website is a television report on the
project.
Farm Bureau members might be
interested in registering as a FarmHer user and join the FarmHer mailing list. Here you can stay updated
on future photo releases and from
time to time, hear more about what
is going on with FarmHer.

Boal takes new role within Farm Bureau
SUBMITTED BY DES MOINES,
HENRY
Agent Chad Boal has taken a
new role within the Farm Bureau
Organization as an agency manager. The agency he is responsible for is the same agency he
was an agent in, therefore he will
not be relocating. He will still be
involved directly with the agents

his clients will be serviced by.
He wants to thank all of his clients for business over the years
and the friendships that have developed. He has assigned either
Brad Notestein or Jim Batterson
the task of servicing his accounts.
Both Brad and Jim are experienced agents that will do a great
job exceeding your expectations

through this
transition.
Please give
Brad Notestein or Jim
Batterson a
call at 319752-2229 if
you have any
questions.

Thousands of runners
refuel with beef stew
SUBMITTED BY DECATUR, FREMONT/MILLS, PAGE/TAYLOR,
RINGGOLD, UNION
ore than 75 Iowa
beef industry volunteers
served
hot beef stew
to thousands of
runners in the 35th annual Living
History Farms Off-Road Race on
Nov. 23. Runners from across the
country endured the single digit
weather to run the seven-mile race,
which takes place on the museum's
grounds in Urbandale.
“This year, more than 20 TEAM
BEEF runners sported shirts with
the message ʻBeef. Fuel for the
Finish,' ” said Nancy Degner, executive director of the Iowa Beef
Industry Council. “TEAM BEEF is
composed of Iowa State University
faculty and students with majors in
animal science, as well as other cattle farmers and friends of the beef
industry who are passionate about
beef,” she added.
Seth Watkins, cattle farmer
from Clarinda, said, “I am proud
to wear the TEAM BEEF shirt and
hear all the support along the race
from runners and by-standers who
shouted ʻGo Beef' and ʻWhereʼs
the Beef?' We answered ʻat the
end of the race in the beef stew!'
I was proud to have cattle farmers
serving the beef stew at the end of
the race.”
Degner said the beef checkoff
became involved to carry a message to the athletes. “Our message
to the runners was two-fold,” said
Degner. “First, that beef provides
high-quality protein needed to
build, maintain and repair muscle
and is a great recovery food after
endurance exercise. Second, we
wanted to give runners the chance
to meet local cattle farmers as they

M

Cattleman Seth Watkins, Clarinda, and charter TEAM BEEF member, heads
toward the finish line and a bowl of hot beef stew at the Living History Farms
Off-Road Race.

served the beef stew.”
The hot beef stew greeted frozen runners after a route complete
with several creek crossings and
other obstacles. The beef checkoff
provided the 2,000 pounds of beef
cubes used in the stew prepared by
the Iowa Machine Shed.
Serving was completed in less
than two hours by volunteers that
included cattle producer families,
Iowa State University animal sci-

ence students, 4-H' ers, Madison
County Youth Beef Team members and friends of the beef industry. Beef certiﬁcates were awarded
as prizes for the race, replacing
the traditional frozen turkeys and
chickens.
Those interested in joining or
learning more about TEAM BEEF
can visit the Iowa Beef Industry
Council website at www.iabeef.org
or by calling 515-296-2305.